Kings' second half fightback falls short against Sixers

The Sydney Kings have dropped to 3-2 on the season after losing 89-79 to the Adelaide 36ers on Friday night at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. 

Match summary 

Keli Leaupepe picked up where he left off in Brisbane by scoring the game’s opening basket with a triple, quickly followed by a Jaylen Adams. The latter’s dime to Xavier Cooks made it 8-0 but then Dejan Vasiljevic sparked a comeback by the hosts – seeing them hit the lead (14-13) with just under four minutes to play. Instant impact by Cam Oliver, Tyler Robertson and Jaylin Galloway off the bench saw the visitors’ nose move back in front. Despite that, late free-throws by Montrezl Harrell ensured the hosts led 26-22 at the first change. 

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The Kings couldn’t slow the Sixers’ scoring, as the hosts scored nine of the first 14 points of the term. Keeping Sydney is it was the hustle by Leaupepe on both ends of the floor. Adelaide’s shot scoring continued with a basket by Isaac Humphries putting them up by 12. That quickly ballooned to 16 behind Vasiljevic’s scoring but Toohey and Cooks ensured it was only a 12-point deficit at the main break (49-37). 

A Toohey slam got Sydney started in the second, which was followed by a Leaupepe lay-in and Robertson (who started for the injured Adams) triple. That run was short-lived, as the hosts rattled off a 12-5 run of their own. Quick buckets by Makuack Maluach and Oliver kept the Hoops Capital side in touch, as the margin was reduced to single digits. Huge plays by Kouat Noi on defence and an and-one by Oliver late in the term made it 68-62 going into the final period – thanks to a 7-0 run through the final 3.06. 

Maluach scored the five points of the period, reducing it to a one-point game. Adelaide hit back though before a Robertson three ended their run. With 3.52 to play, it was 78-70 following a crafty Vasiljevic lay-up which moved to 83-74 with just over 90 seconds to play. Two powerful slams by Harrell down the stretch iced the 10-point win for the hosts. 

Where the match was decided 

The hosts won the contest on the back of statistical victories in field goal percentage (48-37), rebounds (49-42), points in the paint (48-34) and fast-break points (14-7) 

Key moment  

A 23-15 second term laid the platform for Adelaide to win the round four fixture, despite a courageous second-half comeback by the purple and gold. 

Watch Brian Goorjian and Shaun Bruce's post-game press conference via the Sydney Kings' YouTube channel above. While you're there, be sure to hit subscribe, to ensure you never miss out on any of our great videos

Player of the game 

Oliver was a standout for the Kings, producing 16 points, four boards, one steal and one block. 

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Others to score in double-digits were Robertson, Leaupepe and Maluach (all 10 points). 

What’s next 

Goorjian’s team, who are now 3-1, now return to Sydney for their second home game of NBL25 this Sunday, October 13 at 2.15pm AEDT. 

Tickets to the round four Qudos Bank Arena clash are still available here.